H is for Hi, I’m KT and I HAVE AN AGENT!

I’m still in shock. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m utterly and completely happy, but definitely in shock. I signed with Judith Engracia of Liza Dawson Associates on April 6th 2012

See, I was originally hoping to have TDP 1 ready to query this April/May, but my fantastic beta readers got the third draft back to me by the start of March. I’d managed to let them talk me into entering TDP in the Mystery Agent monthly contest on Operation Awesome, and into PitchMadness.

Now the Mystery Agent netted me a request from a lurking agent I was not expecting. I whipped my query into shape, and sent off the query and requested pages. And I thought, well – I should probably query some of the agents I like as well. So, I sent off a total of 7 (non-requested) queries.

On Monday 12th of March, I found out I’d made it into the Agent round of Pitchmadness. This was really exciting for me as I’d finished the final pass and was just tweaking a few things on the MS. And on Wednesday I tied with two full requests. Based on my pitch and 150 words – this was a small ego booster.

I sent off both fulls on March 15th and sat, biting my nails. Seriously, this is amazingly nerve wracking.

My friends and CPs Jami, Jai, Heather and Becca all helped calm me down and avoid being a complete emotional wreck, but it was a close one. Hubby was there to keep the pieces from falling apart, too.

Because as everyone knows, a full request doesn’t necessarily mean anything. This whole subjective process wears on you and your nerves.

Then Judith sent me an DM on twitter. That she was loving it and would finish it that night. This sent me into a tailspin. Loving it is good, right? Some time passed and Judith continued to correspond with me. I received other requests and sent them.

And then the email asking if she could call.

IF? Of course she could call! She was absolutely lovely to talk to, got my book and the direction the story goes in, and made excellent suggestions I could so see improving the book. She didn’t want to remove anything, only add some.

I had to give 7 days to one of the other fulls I had out. It was one of those – please notice that I don’t ask for exclusives, just that you give me 7 days should you receive an offer. Judith is a newer agent, but very passionate, and while I really liked her, as a writer, you always wonder what’s best for your book. I’d researched a lot BEFORE sending out queries, but…

So I spent a week with 5 fulls out researching agents and clients, and recent sales and experience and anything and everything I could find. I marked pros and cons and weighed everything I could think of.

When I sent Judith the contract on Friday I was 100% happy with my agent. I think that’s increased to about 150% now.

I’m so proud to have found the person who believes in my storytelling and my ideas, who can see the bigger picture I can see. Thank you so much Judith! I’m looking forward to many amazing years to come!

To everyone out there searching for an agent, editor or whatever – remember, it only takes one person to have that spark. Don’t give up.

58 Comments

Because I haven’t said it enough yet: CONGRATULATIONS!! Seriously sweetie, I’m super excited, and just glad I could help. Seriously, the friday you got “The Call”, I don’t think I was able to stop smiling all day!! *giant loves*

CONGRATULATIONS! and may add that I’m in no way surprised because you are one of the hardest working writers I *know*… and I’m pretty sure that soon you’ll be sharing that your book will be published. I just know it!!!!! congrats again KT this is soooo exciting

CONGRATS! that’s such a wonderful story – and I’ve heard great things about Judith. My H for A-Z Challenge was almost exactly the same, only my ‘H’ was for Holy Expletive, I got an agent. I wonder how many of us A-Z babies will get an agent this month. So exciting!

Thank you for saying so, hon. Yeah, I’m really stoked. Some of the covers from the agency are gorgeous (I know I’m a coversist), and I’d be honoured to be listed there. I’m glad you thought it sounded great, and I’m really glad Judith agreed with you hehe.

YAY! That such awesome news! So very proud of you. You totally deserve this and I can’t wait to read the book when it comes out…I will be expecting an autograph…just sayin’ #writemotivation all the way!

I remember going through the agent process last year and landing my own was one of the best days of my life!!!! It is a huge step! I’m currently on submission with the first book and now just completing the first book in a YA dystopian series.

Excited to hear how it all goes for you! Drop me a line when you have a chance. xx

Ahhh!!! Lots and lots and LOTS of congratulations to you! Ride the wave my dear. I know there will be more working and waiting in the days, months, years to come, but enjoy every thrill of it when you can! CONGRATS!

I saw this tweeted by Damyanti G. on my Twitter feed. Congratulations. It really sounds like you are bouncing off the walls with happiness. I love how you wrote this post because it was written in such a way that I could just feel the puzzle pieces falling into place.

Congrats once again and good luck with the rest of the A to Z Challenge!

About Me

K.T. writes and reads all types of speculative fiction, loves nail-biting thrillers, and curling up with a good paranormal novel. In 2012 she participated in the inaugural #PitchMadness, and has been slush diving with glee for every #PitchMadness since. This love of finding hidden slush gems as well as a turn as a #PitchWars mentor led her to seek to refine her skills further. She’s been a New York City Agency intern since mid 2014, ecstatically devouring manuscripts and filling in reader reports.

Originally from Australia, where she studied law, business, and psychology, K.T. now lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, corgi and cat. She’s lived on three continents and is bilingual in German. After seven years as a Human Resources Manager, she’s turned her critical eye and organizational skills to become one half of Chimera Editorial Services.

Note: She is still searching for her Tardis.

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